Container



Nov. 30, 1954 F. J. VAN WYK CONTAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 19. 1951 Nov. 30, 1954 F. J. VAN wYK 2,695,646

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Unite States Patent Oflic 2,695,646 Patented Nov. 30, 1954 CGNTAINER Frank .I. Van Wyk, Chicago, Ill:

Appiicatienlluly R9, 1951, Serial No. 237,630

2 Claims. (Cl. 150-28) My invention relates to containers and more particularly to a fieXiblepurse-like container of fiat character which issuitable for carrying in a mans pocket or in a ladys handbag and may be used for small, loose articles, such -as coins, pipe tobacco, etc.

i have devised a container of the character mentioned flaps which cooperate to provide an excellent closure, so

that the article when filled with small objects may be turned upside down without danger of sp'illing the contents. Lacking an outside closure, the contents of the container are quickly accessible-by merely squeezing the sides together, thus spreading apart the lips of the openmg;

Furthermore, in accordance with my invention, I pro vide a simple blank which may be cut from a sheetof therino-plastic material or the like and said blank is quickly and easily sealed to form the completed closure by a single heat scaling operation.

My invention will be best understood by :reference to the appended drawings forming a part of this specification and illustrating certain preferred embodiments of my invention, wherein:

Fig; l is an'elevational view of a container constituting one embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a similar view opened for access to the contents;

Fig. 4 is a'sectional view taken substantially along the line 4 4*ofFig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a plan View of a blank at an intermediate stage in the fabrication of the container;

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of another embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 7-7 of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view on an exaggerated scale taken substantially along the line 88 of Fig. 6.

Referring first to Figs. 1-5, inclusive, my improved container is preferably of rectangular shape having an opening at one end and may be formed from a blank 1i) of the general shape indicated in Fig. 5, having flaps 12 and 12 at opposite ends thereof. The blank is preferably cut from a sheet of suitable thermo-plastic material such as vinylite, etc., of any desired thickness so long as the material is moderately flexible. As is well known, there are many highly satisfactory thermo-plastic sheet materials now available on the market. In lieu of a pure thermo-plastic sheet, I may, of course, substitute a suitable textile fabric coated or impregnated with a thermoplastic natural or synthetic resin which is nontacky and flexible at ordinary temperatures. Hence, in the claims, reference to a thermoplastic sheet will be understood to include all equivalents thereof.

It will be noted that the flaps 12 and 12, while preferably arcuate in form, are not necessarily of the same depth. In the condition shown in Fig. 5 the flaps 12 and 12 have been folded inwardly along their chords 13 and 13'.

As the next stage in the fabrication, the blank is folded over upon itself along a-transverse line about midway between the edges 13 and 13', so that the flaps I2 and 12 are adjacent each other on the inside of the;

container-being formed. In this condition the article is subjected to heat and pressure along the marginal portions 18, 18, which'may be applied by means of any-- suitable tool, such as well known electronic or electro magnetic fusing tools commonly in use for Welding? plastic material. This action is practically instantaneous and the tool is so formed as to apply. any desired-ornamental pattern to the margins: In the form shown in Fig. 1, this pattern is a narrow band of spaced diagonal parallel lines or bars, but obviously any desired pattern may be formed-so long as the margins are adequately sealed.

Itwill benoted that the free edges Brand 13 are preferably slightly spaced vertically from each other, as

seen in Fig. l. Thepurpose of this is to permit convenient insertion of ones finger to obtain access to thecontents of the container.

It is found that the lips or flaps 12 and 12 form-air adequate seal'to the device and in this connection the fact that one of the flaps extends beyond the otheris believed to assist in the-efficacy of the closure.

This closure is so effective that substantial pressure has to be applied to the sides of the container in order to eject air therefrom particularly when platin (smooth) surfaces are employed. Hence, it is found that'the container is quite satisfactory for small coins, as wellas forpipe tobacco and' other loose small'articles As a tobacco container, the lips 12, 12 serve well to retain moisture and inhiblt spilling.

Access may be hadto the contents ofthe container either by inserting a finger between the flaps 12 and 12 or-by placing the thumb and forefinger on opposite sides of the container adjacent the open end and applying Thereupon the open end; assumes a diamond-shapedopening, as seeninFig. 3,;andin this conditionsub'stantially all-of the contents may bepressure toward the center.

ment', however, I provide a lining 21 of silk or other suitable fabric or the like. In the fabrication ofthis article, the lining 21 is of substantially the same size and shape as the blank seen in Fig. 5 except'lacking theflaps-in= otherwords, the liner is cut in substantiallya- This liner 21 is applied to one face of--therectangle. plastic blank 20, the ends of the liner extending under the flaps 22 and 22, as seen best in Fig. 7. The two elements are then folded together to the form seen in Fig. 6 and heat sealed in a similar manner to that described for the other embodiment. In this case the welding or fusion of the plastic material extends through the liner, as indicated at 25 in Fig. 7, so that the liner is positively secured in place.

In this embodiment the marginal design applied by the welding tool may provide a plurality of spaced dots 28.

Another feature of the embodiment of Figs. 6-8 lies in the application of a decorative element as indicated at 30, which in this form is a cross, but may be in any desired design. The decorative element 30 is preferably applied, in order to enhance the esthetic effect, by stamping the element 30 from a sheet of contrasting color, also of thermoplastic material; also, the blank 20 is die-cut to form an aperture of substantially the same size and shape as the element 30. I find that the insert 30 may be cut by the same tool and simultaneously with the cutting of the aperture in the container blank 20. Thus, the insert and aperture to receive it are of identical size and shape. The operation of applying insert 30 is completed on the blank 20 before the latter is folded.

The insert element 30 may be secured to the blank 20 by placing it in the aperture cut therein and butt welding the insert to the blank 20. The same tool at the same time compresses a portion of the blank 20 adjacent to element 30, as indicated at 33, so as to provide a halo-like effect to the element 30, as seen best in Figs. 6 and 8. Thus,

3 when this operation is finished, the insert 30 and halo-like boss 33 are of the same thickness.

When applying the welding tool for the purpose of fusing and welding to the blank 20, the decorative element 30 and providing the debossed halo 33, a backing member 35, also preferably of thermo-plastic sheet material of sufficient area to underlie the parts 30 and 33, is disposed below said parts and becomes fused thereto, as seen in Fig. 8. The sheet member 35 accomplishes several functionsby its cushioning effect, it makes possible a greater depth in the debossed portion 33 as compared with the adjacent portions of the member 20; at the same time it serves as an insulator insuring against short-circuiting of the welding tool when fusion takes place.

It will be noted that in this embodiment, as seen clearly in Fig. 7, one of the flaps, preferably rear flap 22, is heat Welded along the upper edge of the container as indicated at 29, both for appearance and for the purpose of enabling the container to lie flat when placed on a surface with the ornamental side uppermost. It is desired, however, that at least one of the flaps, in this case flap 22, be permitted to remain in its natural springy condition, as seen in Fig. 7, so that it will normally be resiliently urged against the opposite flap 22' to maintain a substantial seal thereagainst.

Functionally, the article shown in Figs. 68 will operate with complete satisfaction as a container in substantially the same manner as the one described in Figs. l5. The lining material 21 is adequately secured in the manner described so that it will not tend to bunch up or loosen, and as its ends are disposed under the flaps, they do not interfere in any way with the excellent closure provided by the l have found that the container of Figs. 6-8 functions well as a rosary case or the like and may be carried in a pocket, purse, etc., with no risk of any of the beads accidentally coming out, while at the same time the contents are instantly accessible.

While I have shown the container formed from a single rectangular blank folded upon itself, it will be obvious that it could be formed from a pair of substantially similar blanks superimposed on each other and sealed along three edgesi. e., the bottom edge as well as the side edges. Also, the container might be shaped otherwise than rectangular.

While I do not wish to limit my invention to any specific gauge of thickness of the sheet material used for fabricating the container, said material should be of sufficient thickness that in its normal condition, i. e., unless deliberately squeezed to open the container, as seen in Fig. 3, the parts will naturally assume the closed position shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4. I have found a thickness of 0.02 inch to be quite satisfactory, although obviously this may be varied.

Various other changes coming within the spirit of my invention will doubtless suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. Hence, I do not wish to be limited to the specific form shown or uses mentioned except as to the extent indicated in the hereunto appended claims.

I claim:

1. A container for loose articles such as coins, said container being formed of a pair of superposed, substantially coextensive layers of smooth and flexible thermo-plastic sheet material having sufficient stiffness normally to be shape-retaining, said container having an opening extending across one side and being sealed on its other sides, and having a pair of integral, generally arcuate flaps extending inwardly from each of said layers within said opening, one of said flaps extending beyond the other, so that the edge of the shorter flap engages the face of the longer flap, and said flaps engaging in a band of substantial length in lip-like formation, so at to provide a substantial seal against inadvertent escape of the contents of said container, said container having a liner formed of a single sheet of textile material, the side edges of the latter being fused within the corresponding portions of the thermoplastic material and the free edges of the liner underlying said flaps.

2. A container for loose articles such as coins, said container being formed of a pair of superposed, substantially coextensive layers of smooth and flexible thermoplastic sheet material having sufiicient stiffness normally to be shape-retaining, said container having an opening extending across one side and being sealed on its other sides, and having a pair of integral, generally arcuate flaps extending inwardly from each of said layers within said opening, one of said flaps extending beyond the other, so that the edge of the shorter flap engages the face of the longer flap, and said flaps engaging in a band of substantial length in lip-like formation, so as to provide a substantial seal against inadvertent escape of the contents of said container, one of said flaps being thermally secured to the adjacent side portion of the container along the open side thereof, the other flap being resiliently urged thereagainst to provide a closure.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 664,703 Woodward Dec. 25, 1900 783,190 Gibson Feb. 21, 1905 1,595,581 Stedman Aug. 10, 1926 2,248,578 Moore July 8, 1941 2,337,792 Yokell Dec. 28, 1943 2,428,977 Mares Oct. 14, 1947 2,536,773 Saidel Jan. 2, 1951 2,560,535 Allen July 17, 1951 

